Par Pacific Holdings Reports Second Quarter 2017 Results

HOUSTON, Aug. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Par Pacific Holdings, Inc. (NYSE AMERICAN: PARR) ("Par Pacific" or the "Company") today reported its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2017. Par Pacific reported net income of $7.0 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2017, compared to a net loss of $(13.1) million, or $(0.32) per diluted share, for the same quarter in 2016. Second quarter 2017 Adjusted Net Income was $11.1 million, compared to an Adjusted Net Loss of $(35.0) million in the second quarter of 2016. Second quarter 2017 Adjusted EBITDA was $29.6 million, compared to a loss of $(6.8) million in the second quarter of 2016. A reconciliation of reported non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures can be found in the tables accompanying this news release.

Commenting on the results, William Pate, Par Pacific's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Our team continues to execute in a mid-cycle market environment resulting in three consecutive quarters of positive earnings. In addition to strong operations, we improved our balance sheet during the second quarter through optional repayment of our corporate debt."

"With recent new fuels sale agreements in Hawaii, we are currently limited in our ability to deliver more high-quality product volumes," Mr. Pate added. "To meet growing demand, we are pleased to announce a capital project that should increase our high-quality products, such as ultra-low sulfur distillate production in Hawaii, thereby enhancing our competitive position and driving attractive Adjusted EPS growth beginning in 2019."

Refining

The Refining segment generated operating income of $13.6 million for the second quarter of 2017, compared to operating income of $1.2 million for the second quarter of 2016. Adjusted Gross Margin for the Refining segment was $57.8 million in the second quarter of 2017, compared to $16.6 million in the second quarter of 2016.

Refining Adjusted EBITDA was $22.9 million in the second quarter of 2017, compared to Refining Adjusted EBITDA losses of $(6.5) million in the second quarter of 2016.

Hawaii Refinery

The combined Mid Pacific Index was $8.96/bbl in the second quarter of 2017, compared to $6.00/bbl in the second quarter of 2016. The Hawaii refinery's throughput in the second quarter of 2017 was 73 thousand barrels per day (Mbpd). This compares to 78 Mbpd throughput for the same quarter in 2016. Production costs were $3.56 per throughput barrel in the second quarter of 2017, compared to $3.15 per throughput barrel in the same period in 2016, mainly attributed to planned downtime for reformer catalyst regeneration.

The Company's board of directors has approved a $27 million hydrotreater project to increase ultra-low sulfur distillate production capacity in Hawaii. Completion is anticipated during the fourth quarter of 2019.

Wyoming Refinery

During the second quarter of 2017, the Wyoming 3-2-1 Index averaged $21.47/bbl. The Wyoming refinery's throughput was 16 Mbpd in the second quarter of 2017. Production costs were $7.06 per throughput barrel in the second quarter of 2017.

Retail

The Retail segment reported operating income of $7.0 million in the second quarter of 2017, compared to $3.4 million in the second quarter of 2016. Adjusted Gross Margin for the Retail segment was $20.4 million in the second quarter of 2017, compared to $15.4 million in the same quarter of 2016. Retail Adjusted EBITDA was $8.5 million in the second quarter of 2017, compared to $4.9 million in the second quarter of 2016. The Retail segment had sales volumes of 23.7 million gallons in the second quarter of 2017, compared to 23.0 million gallons in the same quarter of 2016.

Logistics

The Logistics segment generated operating income of $7.4 million in the second quarter of 2017, compared to $5.0 million for the second quarter of 2016. Wyoming Refining contributed approximately $1.6 million of operating income to the Logistics segment during the second quarter of 2017. Adjusted Gross Margin for the Logistics segment was $13.8 million in the second quarter of 2017, compared to $8.2 million in the same quarter last year. Logistics Adjusted EBITDA was $8.9 million in the second quarter of 2017, compared to $5.9 million in the second quarter of 2016.

Laramie Energy

Equity earnings from Laramie Energy, LLC ("Laramie") in the second quarter of 2017 were $2.4 million, compared to equity losses of $(16.9) million in the second quarter of 2016. Second quarter 2017 earnings attributable to Par Pacific's 42.3% ownership interest in Laramie included $3.7 million in unrealized gains on derivative instruments and $5.3 million in depreciation, depletion and amortization expense.

Laramie averaged 138 million cubic feet equivalent per day (MMcfed) of production during the second quarter of 2017 and exited the quarter with daily production of 140 MMcfe.

Liquidity

Net cash provided by operations totaled $62.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to $(28.8) million used in the six months ended June 30, 2016. At June 30, 2017, Par Pacific's cash balance totaled $54.2 million, long-term debt totaled $340.6 million (including current maturities), and total liquidity was $92.1 million. In total, Par Pacific reduced its net debt by $41.7 million during the first half of 2017.

Conference Call Information

A conference call is scheduled for Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. Central Time (10:00 a.m. Eastern Time). To access the call, please dial 1-877-404-9648 inside the U.S. or 1-412-902-0030 outside the U.S. and ask for the Par Pacific call. The webcast may be accessed online through the Company's website at http://www.parpacific.com on the Investor Relations page. Please log on at least 10 minutes early to register. A telephone replay will be available until August 22, 2017 and may be accessed by calling 1-877-660-6853 inside the U.S. or 1-201-612-7415 outside the U.S. and using the conference ID 13666005#.

About Par Pacific

Par Pacific Holdings, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, owns, manages and maintains interests in energy and infrastructure businesses. Par Pacific's strategy is to identify, acquire and operate energy and infrastructure companies with attractive competitive positions. Par Pacific owns and operates one of the largest energy infrastructure networks in Hawaii with a 94,000-bpd refinery, a logistics network supplying the major islands of the state and 91 retail locations. In Wyoming, Par Pacific owns a refinery and associated logistics network in a niche market. Par Pacific also owns 42.3% of Laramie Energy, LLC which has natural gas operations and assets concentrated in the Piceance Basin in Western Colorado. More information is available at www.parpacific.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release (and oral statements regarding the subject matter of this news release, including those made on the conference call and webcast announced herein) includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to qualify for the "safe harbor" from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements about: expected market conditions; expected refinery throughput; anticipated capital expenditures, including major maintenance costs, and their effect on our financial and operating results, including earnings per share; anticipated retail sales volumes and on-island sales; the anticipated financial and operational results of Laramie Energy, LLC; the amount of our discounted net cash flows and the impact of our NOL carryforwards on them; the uncertainty inherent in estimating natural gas and oil reserves; our ability to identify, acquire and operate energy and infrastructure companies with attractive competitive positions; the anticipated financial and operating results of the Wyoming Refining Company and its effect on the Company's cash flows, profitability, and earnings per share; and other risks and uncertainties detailed in Par Pacific's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and any other documents that Par Pacific has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Additionally, forward looking statements are subject to certain risks, trends, and uncertainties, such as changes to financial condition and liquidity; the volatility of crude oil and refined product prices; operating disruptions at our refineries resulting from unplanned maintenance events; uncertainties inherent in estimating oil, natural gas and NGL reserves; environmental risks; and risks of political or regulatory changes. Par Pacific cannot provide assurances that the assumptions upon which these forward-looking statements are based will prove to have been correct. Should one of these risks materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements, and investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are current only as of this date. Par Pacific does not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein or any other forward looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The Company further expressly disclaims any written or oral statements made by a third party regarding the subject matter of this news release.

Working capital is calculated as (i) total current assets, excluding cash and cash equivalents less (ii) total current liabilities, excluding current portion of long-term debt.

Operating Statistics

The following table summarizes certain operational data:

Three Months EndedJune 30,

Six Months EndedJune 30,

2017

2016

2017

2016

Total Refining Segment

Feedstocks Throughput (Mbpd)

89.2

77.5

90.1

75.9

Refined product sales volume (Mbpd)

86.7

69.7

90.7

75.6

Hawaii Refinery

Feedstocks Throughput (Mbpd)

72.7

77.5

74.7

75.9

Source of Crude Oil:

North America

13.8

%

26.5

%

29.3

%

45.1

%

Asia

23.3

%

40.7

%

24.6

%

32.6

%

Africa

17.3

%

20.7

%

20.1

%

12.6

%

Latin America

—

%

0.9

%

0.2

%

4.0

%

Middle East

45.6

%

11.2

%

25.8

%

5.7

%

Total

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

Yield (% of total throughput)

Gasoline and gasoline blendstocks

27.5

%

27.3

%

27.5

%

26.8

%

Distillate

49.1

%

47.1

%

47.0

%

44.2

%

Fuel oils

14.1

%

17.7

%

16.3

%

19.9

%

Other products

6.2

%

4.7

%

6.0

%

5.7

%

Total yield

96.9

%

96.8

%

96.8

%

96.6

%

Refined product sales volume (Mbpd)

On-island sales volume

60.6

61.0

61.2

60.9

Exports sale volume

8.7

8.7

13.4

14.7

Total refined product sales volume

69.3

69.7

74.6

75.6

4-1-2-1 Singapore Crack Spread ($ per barrel) (1)

$

6.95

$

2.46

$

6.84

$

2.92

4-1-2-1 Mid Pacific Crack Spread ($ per barrel) (1)

8.35

3.96

8.02

4.22

Mid Pacific Crude Oil Differential ($ per barrel) (2)

(0.61)

(2.04)

(0.91)

(2.07)

Operating income (loss) per bbl ($/throughput bbl)

1.18

(1.08)

2.63

(0.19)

Adjusted Gross Margin per bbl ($/throughput bbl) (3)

5.76

2.35

6.43

3.53

Production costs per bbl ($/throughput bbl) (4)

3.56

3.15

3.64

3.44

DD&A per bbl ($/throughput bbl)

0.66

0.28

0.65

0.28

Wyoming Refinery

Feedstocks Throughput (Mbpd)

16.5

—

15.4

—

Yield (% of total throughput)

Gasoline and gasoline blendstocks

48.8

%

—

%

51.2

%

—

%

Distillate

45.9

%

—

%

43.2

%

—

%

Fuel oils

2.5

%

—

%

2.6

%

—

%

Other products

1.9

%

—

%

1.7

%

—

%

Total yield

99.1

%

—

%

98.7

%

—

%

Refined product sales volume (Mbpd)

17.4

—

16.1

—

Three Months EndedJune 30,

Six Months EndedJune 30,

2017

2016

2017

2016

Wyoming Refinery (continued)

Wyoming 3-2-1 Index ($ per barrel) (5)

$

21.47

$

—

$

18.99

$

—

Operating income (loss) per bbl ($/throughput bbl)

3.90

—

1.99

—

Adjusted Gross Margin per bbl ($/throughput bbl) (3)

13.08

—

11.41

—

Production costs per bbl ($/throughput bbl) (4)

7.06

—

7.25

—

DD&A per bbl ($/throughput bbl)

2.06

—

2.18

—

Retail Segment

Retail sales volumes (thousands of gallons)

23,746

22,998

45,804

45,284

Logistics Segment

Pipeline throughput (Mbpd)

Crude oil pipelines

86.7

80.9

88.7

78.5

Refined product pipelines

84.2

61.8

87.5

68.2

Total pipeline throughput

170.9

142.7

176.2

146.7

__________________________________

(1)

The profitability of our Hawaii business is heavily influenced by crack spreads in both the Singapore and U.S. West Coast markets. These markets reflect the closest liquid market alternatives to source refined products for Hawaii. We believe the Singapore and Mid Pacific crack spreads (or four barrels of Brent crude converted into one barrel of gasoline, two barrels of distillate (diesel and jet fuel) and one barrel of fuel oil) best reflect a market indicator for our Hawaii refinery operations. The Mid Pacific crack spread is calculated using a ratio of 80% Singapore and 20% San Francisco indexes.

(2)

Weighted-average differentials, excluding shipping costs, of a blend of crudes with an API of 31.98 and sulfur weight percentage of 0.65% that is indicative of our typical crude oil mix quality compared to Brent crude.

Management uses production costs per barrel to evaluate performance and compare efficiency to other companies in the industry. There are a variety of ways to calculate production costs per barrel; different companies within the industry calculate it in different ways. We calculate production costs per barrel by dividing all direct production costs, which include the costs to run the refineries including personnel costs, repair and maintenance costs, insurance, utilities and other miscellaneous costs, by total refining throughput. Our production costs are included in Operating expense (excluding depreciation) on our consolidated statement of operations, which also includes costs related to our bulk marketing operations.

(5)

The profitability of our Wyoming refinery is heavily influenced by crack spreads in nearby markets. We believe the Wyoming 3-2-1 Index is the best market indicator for our operations in Wyoming. The Wyoming 3-2-1 Index is computed by taking two parts gasoline and one part distillate (ultra-low sulfur diesel) as created from three barrels of West Texas Intermediate Crude. Pricing is based 50% on applicable product pricing in Rapid City, South Dakota, and 50% on applicable product pricing in Denver, Colorado.

Non-GAAP Performance Measures

Management uses certain financial measures to evaluate our operating performance that are considered non-GAAP financial measures. These measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP and our calculations thereof may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Management believes Adjusted Gross Margin is an important measure of operating performance and uses Adjusted Gross Margin per barrel to evaluate operating performance and compare profitability to other companies in the industry and to industry benchmarks. Management believes Adjusted Gross Margin provides useful information to investors because it eliminates the gross impact of volatile commodity prices and adjusts for certain non-cash items and timing differences created by our inventory financing agreement and lower of cost or net realizable value adjustments to demonstrate the earnings potential of the business before other fixed and variable costs, which are reported separately in Operating expense (excluding depreciation) and Depreciation, depletion, and amortization.

Adjusted Gross Margin should not be considered an alternative to operating income (loss), net cash flows from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted Gross Margin presented by other companies may not be comparable to our presentation since each company may define this term differently as they may include other manufacturing costs and depreciation expense in cost of revenues.

The following tables present a reconciliation of Adjusted Gross Margin to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, operating income (loss), on a historical basis, for selected segments, for the periods indicated (in thousands):

Three months ended June 30, 2017

Refining

Logistics

Retail

Operating income (loss)

$

13,642

$

7,423

$

6,996

Operating expense (excluding depreciation)

34,895

4,849

11,951

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

7,450

1,524

1,458

Inventory valuation adjustment

(2,620)

—

—

Unrealized loss / (gain) on derivatives

4,399

—

—

Adjusted Gross Margin

$

57,766

$

13,796

$

20,405

Three months ended June 30, 2016

Refining

Logistics

Retail

Operating income (loss)

$

1,191

$

5,001

$

3,409

Operating expense (excluding depreciation)

23,093

2,321

10,454

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

1,954

923

1,494

Inventory valuation adjustment

(676)

—

—

Unrealized loss / (gain) on derivatives

(8,949)

—

—

Adjusted Gross Margin

$

16,613

$

8,245

$

15,357

Six Months Ended June 30, 2017

Refining

Logistics

Retail

Operating income (loss)

$

41,058

$

16,836

$

13,116

Operating expense (excluding depreciation)

71,111

8,646

22,266

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

14,853

3,011

2,906

Inventory valuation adjustment

(11,412)

—

—

Unrealized loss / (gain) on derivatives

3,112

—

—

Adjusted Gross Margin

$

118,722

$

28,493

$

38,288

Six Months Ended June 30, 2016

Refining

Logistics

Retail

Operating income (loss)

$

(17,101)

$

10,145

$

10,279

Operating expense (excluding depreciation)

49,143

4,220

20,598

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

3,894

1,841

3,032

Inventory valuation adjustment

20,760

—

—

Unrealized loss / (gain) on derivatives

(7,934)

—

—

Adjusted Gross Margin

$

48,762

$

16,206

$

33,909

Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted Net Income (Loss) is defined as net income (loss) excluding changes in the value of contingent consideration and common stock warrants, acquisition and integration expense, unrealized (gains) losses on derivatives, inventory valuation adjustment, loss on termination of financing agreements, and release of tax valuation allowance. Effective in the first quarter of 2017, Adjusted Net Income (Loss) also excludes severance costs. We have recast the non-GAAP information for the three and six months ended months ended June 30, 2016 to conform to the current period presentation.

The ability of our assets to generate cash to pay interest on our indebtedness; and

Our operating performance and return on invested capital as compared to other companies without regard to financing methods and capital structure.

Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for, operating income (loss), net income (loss), cash flows provided by operating, investing, and financing activities, or other income or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted EBITDA presented by other companies may not be comparable to our presentation as other companies may define these terms differently.

The following table presents a reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, net income (loss), on a historical basis for the periods indicated (in thousands):

Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,

2017

2016

2017

2016

Net income (loss)

$

7,006

$

(13,088)

$

34,792

$

(31,761)

Inventory valuation adjustment

(2,620)

(1,059)

(11,412)

17,261

Unrealized loss (gain) on derivatives

4,399

(8,406)

3,112

(7,414)

Acquisition and integration expense

—

845

253

1,516

Loss on termination of financing agreements

1,804

—

1,804

—

Increase in (release of) tax valuation allowance (1)

—

(8,573)

—

(8,573)

Change in value of common stock warrants

547

(1,176)

1,236

(2,820)

Change in value of contingent consideration

—

(3,552)

—

(9,728)

Severance costs

—

—

1,595

—

Adjusted Net Income (Loss)

11,136

(35,009)

31,380

(41,519)

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

11,284

5,100

22,544

10,196

Interest expense and financing costs, net

9,139

6,106

18,081

10,719

Equity losses (earnings) from Laramie Energy, LLC

(2,352)

16,948

(11,098)

18,818

Income tax expense

414

89

1,062

426

Adjusted EBITDA

$

29,621

$

(6,766)

$

61,969

$

(1,360)

Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,

2017

2016

2017

2016

Adjusted Net Income (Loss) per share

Basic (1)

$

0.24

$

(0.85)

$

0.68

$

(1.01)

Diluted (2)

$

0.24

$

(0.85)

$

0.68

$

(1.01)

________________________________

(1)

Basic Adjusted Net Income (Loss) per share is calculated as Adjusted Net Income (Loss), excluding undistributed Adjusted Net Income allocated to participating securities, divided by weighted-average shares outstanding. Undistributed Adjusted Net Income allocated to participating securities during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 was $144 thousand and $373 thousand, respectively. Weighted-average shares outstanding are the same as those used in the Income (loss) per share calculation. Adjusted Net Losses are not allocated to participating securities.

(2)

Diluted Adjusted Net Income (Loss) per share is calculated as Adjusted Net Income (Loss), excluding undistributed Adjusted Net Income allocated to participating securities, divided by weighted-average diluted shares outstanding. Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding are the same as those used in the Income (loss) per share calculation.

Adjusted EBITDA by Segment

Adjusted EBITDA by segment is defined as operating income (loss) by segment excluding unrealized (gains) losses on derivatives, inventory valuation adjustment, severance costs, and depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense. We believe Adjusted EBITDA by segment is a useful supplemental financial measure to evaluate the economic performance of our segments without regard to financing methods, capital structure, or historical cost basis.

The following table presents a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, operating income (loss), on a historical basis, for selected segments, for the periods indicated (in thousands):